Get Involved

When you’re a student in Computer Science, you never have to be alone; that is, unless you really want to, but we don’t recommend it. You will have more fun participating in one of the amazing organizations on campus or volunteering at a department or campus event.

Join a Student Group

Joining a student group on campus has many benefits. Student groups help you connect with other students on campus that share similar interests. Groups organize social events, manage fundraisers, create industry partnerships, and offer services to students. It's a great way to get involved and have a positive impact on your community.

COMPUTER SCIENCE STUDENTS' SOCIETY (CSSS)

The CSSS is a student run group that offers various services and events for Computer Science undergraduate students on campus. We encourage all students to purchase a membership!

The Computer Science Career Fair, a one-day event during the winter term where employers are invited to set up booths and give presentations to students to provide them with more information about their companies. Students are encouraged to chat with employers and hand in resumes.

A range of local events, such as Unix Bootcamp, LAN Parties, video game tournaments, board game nights, weekly lounge events, and much more!

The Computer Science Graduation Banquet

Various food, snacks, and beverages for sale.

You could even become a member of the executive group. These roles include: President, Vice-President, Secretary, First to Fourth Year Representatives, Athletics Director, Social Director, and Member-at-large. Voting for these positions take place during the CSSS Annual General Meetings in September and November.

The collegiality of our department is reflected in the high level of graduate student involvement and influence in its operation. The Computer Science Graduate Course Council or the "CSGCC" for short, is the organization constructed and operated by our graduate students to act on their behalf. The Council acts as the Computer Science Graduate Student’s representatives to the University of Saskatchewan Graduate Student’s Association (GSA). It provides communication between the GSA and the graduate students in the department. The CSGCC also takes on the task of maintaining a certain level of communication between the Department of Computer Science and the graduate student body that resides in it. The CSGCC has non-voting representatives that attend Graduate Committee meetings and Faculty meetings.

In addition, the CSGCC receives some funding from the University-wide GSA to carry out its operations. In return, the CSGCC organizes social events for the Department, such as welcoming activities for new graduate students and social gatherings throughout the year. The social events organized by the CSGCC include different sporting activities, games and outings to be enjoyed by the graduate students, faculty and staff. Finally, the Council assists and advises new students moving to the University of Saskatchewan.

All graduate students within the Department of Computer Science are by default a member of the CSGCC. No membership application or fees are required. Positions on the executive include: President, Vice-President of Finance, Vice-President of Internal/Webmaster, Social Representative, MSc Representative, PhD Representative, and a Faculty and Staff Liaison.

Computer Science on Campus

If you're looking to get more experience in Computer Science, you have come to the right spot. This is a one stop shop where students can browse different oportunities to get invoved within the Computer Science community on campus. The list is comprised of workshops, contests, student works, entrepreneurial initiatives, and graduation celebrations. Get the full Computer Science student experience and beef up your resume at the same time.

Local ACM Programming Contest (Fall & Spring)

The University of Saskatchewan Programming Contest is a fun and local competition where student teams from local academic institutions and industry compete against each other in a friendly contest that is meant to test the competitor's skills in problem solving and programming. All skill levels are welcome to participate.

Every September, to kick off a new academic year, the Computer Science Student Society(CSSS) organizes a Linux Bootcamp for students to refresh their technical skills. The day starts with a beginner Linux session, followed by an intermediate and advanced session. Students will have an opportunity to meet the new CSSS Execs, enjoy a pizza lunch, tour the Department and get their CSSS memberships.

Listen to the September announcements for more information.

Work in Computer Science

Students can gain valuable and relevant work expereince during their studies at the University of Saskatchewan. The Department offers a range of possible employment opportunities, including Tutorial Assistant and Marker positions for classes every term, summer research opportunities, and more. Details, on how to get hired during school, are available on our recruitment page.

CSSS Career Fair

Industry representatives are invited to meet with the students and give talks. It is a great opportunity for students to network and hand out resumes. This event is organized by the CSSS.

Every Spring, The CSSS and the Department of Computer Science hold a banquet to celebrate our graduating students and all the accomplishments our faculty, staff, and students have achieved during the academic year. The evening includes a dinner, speeches, awards, entertainment, and a surprise or two. Everyone is welcome to attend the banquet, including all students, faculty, staff, researchers, family, friends, alumni, and special guests.

For more information on the Computer Science Spring Banquet, listen to the announcements or contact the Computer Science main office.

The Wilson Centre for Excellence

The i3 Idea Challenge is an annual business idea competition hosted by the Wilson Centre for Entrepreneurial Excellence. This competition is open to entrepreneurs at any stage, from any industry. All teams must have at least one member currently enrolled as a student at the University of Saskatchewan.

The University of Saskatchewan Industry Liaison Office's (ILO) annual business plan competition is an opportunity for entrepreneurs to launch their technology-based business ideas. Tech Venture Challenge is open to anyone with a University of Saskatchewan affiliation - employees, researchers, students and alumni.

This contest runs from October to April every year, where participants develop their business plans by receiving mentorship, guidance, and training. The Grand Prize winner receives$50,000 from the U of S Industry Liaison Office and office space from Innovation Place to help get their new venture off the ground. Second and third places also receive funding towards their business venture.

SCI-FI Science Camps inspire Saskatchewan's youth through fun, hands-on science and technology programs at the University of Saskatchewan. Each year, they reach more than 10,000 youth from all across Saskatchewan through school workshops, summer camps, and Saturday science clubs.

COMPUTER SCIENCE OFF CAMPUS

The Computer Science community does not simply end at the edge of the campus. Saskatoon has an exciting and eventful technology community. Conferences, hackathons, workshops, clubs, and dinners are just the tip of the iceberg. By getting involved with off campus groups, students will have the opportunity to network and learn from the industry experts.

Saskatoon Barcamp

BarCamp is an international network of user-generated conferences. BarCamps are open, participatory events whose content is provided by participants.

At BarCamp, there are no spectators, only participants. Attendees should prepare a demo, a session, or help with one, or otherwise volunteer / contribute in some way to support the event. All presentations are scheduled the day they happen. BarCamp participants help to select the topics they want to see and talk about. Anyone is welcome at BarCamp. Attendance is usually diverse and includes software engineers, web developers and designers, application and game developers, marketers, entrepreneurs, students and artists.

MoSo is a multi-day, multi-venue conference and music festival. Developers, business audiences, and music lovers alike will spend hours immersed in engaging topics ranging from mobile applications to programming, technology trends, entrepreneurship, social media, marketing, design, and – of course – music.

The Saskatoon Regional Science Fair provides an opportunity for our burgeoning young scientists to display their scientific achievements to Saskatoon and the surrounding community. Each year, students gather to exhibit their experiments, compete for prizes, and vie for a chance to represent the Saskatoon Region at the Canada Wide Science Fair.

Ladies Learning Code is a Canada wide not-for-profit organization providing women, men, and kids the opportunity to learn beginner-friendly computer programming and other technical skills though hands-on workshops. They design the workshops where everyone feels comfortable learning computer programming in a social and collaborative way. You can sign up to attend future workshops as a learner, or you can volunteer as a mentor to assist with learners.

Girl Geek Dinners are made up of women in Saskatoon and surrounding area who are involved in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields. These dinners are an up and coming version of the orginial Girl geek Dinners that originated in London, England. Girl Geek Dinner communities can now be found all over the world and bring together females from around the globe with a common goal of meet, inspire and encourage.

Saskatoon TechWorks Inc. is a makerspace (or hackerspace) that is focused on science, technology, culture, mechanics and the digital arts. They offer a space where people with diverse backgrounds can socialize, collaborate and learn. Through shared resources, knowledge and ideas they strive to create an atmosphere that promotes community and learning.

They also fulfill our role as a community resource by hosting workshops on electronics, programming, crafts, and any other skills that members (or guests) are willing to share.

Experience the valley tech scene in Saskatoon at Vendasta's Ideas on Tap. Every month, Vendasta hosts a series of industry speakers to talk about the latest trends, topics, and technologies. Everyone is welcome to attend or to give a presentation.

Google Summer of Code is a global program that offers students stipends to write code for open source projects. They work with many open source, free software, and technology-related groups to identify and fund projects over a three month period.

Volunteering in the Department

We need volunteers to help with a number of outreach events designed to generate interest in Computer Science with elementary, high school, and university students.

We are always on the lookout for volunteers to lead workshops, assist with workshops, give presentations, or help with setup and take down. The following are a few annual events where we need great volunteers like yourself: